India to Invest Rs 1,000 Crore in Assam, Northeast Waterways by 2026

The Central Government has announced an additional investment of Rs 1,000 crore for inland waterways projects in Assam and the Northeast, set to be implemented by 2026, according to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal. This ambitious initiative aims to bolster infrastructure and connectivity in the region, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.

In a recent meeting with officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India, and other groups, Sonowal shared how these projects could change the game for the Northeast. Over the last two years, the government has already spent Rs 1,000 crore in the region, finishing projects worth Rs 300 crore. The rest, worth Rs 700 crore, is on track to be done by the end of 2025.

Key Highlights:

• India will invest Rs 1,000 crore in Assam and Northeast waterways by 2026 to boost regional connectivity and trade
• Focus areas include upgrades to National Waterways 2 and 16, new terminals, passenger boats, and local skill development
• Projects aim to create eco-friendly transport, enhance tourism, and strengthen ties with neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Bhutan

The focus is on sprucing up National Waterway 2 (Brahmaputra) and National Waterway 16 (Barak) with new passenger boats, better terminals, and training for locals to take on maritime jobs. Sonowal urged everyone to stay on schedule and emphasized teaching locals new skills to meet the industry’s needs. The government is also looking into waterway projects on rivers like Tiawng and Chhimtuipui in Mizoram, and Umiam Lake and Ummgot River in Meghalaya, plus tourism and water sports spots at Doyang, Noune, and Shilloi lakes in Nagaland.

Sonowal highlighted that initiatives like Jalvahak will make waterways a cheaper, greener, and more efficient way to travel, taking some pressure off roads and railways. The new Jogighopa Inland Waterways Terminal, opened earlier this year, is already helping trade with Bangladesh and Bhutan. These projects are part of a bigger plan to make Assam a powerhouse in India’s journey to a self-reliant economy by 2047.

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With this investment, Sonowal is confident the Northeast will become a key player in India’s maritime future, sparking economic growth and stronger ties across the region.